The heavy military presence in the Niger Delta will soon be reduced, the Secretary of the Government of Federation, Ambassador Baba Gana-Kingibe, said on Tuesday.
Delivering the opening address at the 9th gathering of the Gulf of Guinea Security Strategy meeting in Abuja, Kingibe said the Federal Government would soon announce a programme of action to scale down military presence in the region.
According to him, the programme was a product of the dialogue which government held with the restive groups in the Niger Delta.
�The security situation in the region has considerably improved although there are occasional cases of criminal attacks and clashes with security personnel,� he added.
The SGF said that the Federal Government would continue with President Umaru Yar� Adua�s code of accountability in the allocation and application of funds voted in the 2008 budget for the Niger Delta Developmet Commission.
He added, �The present administration believed that issues of sustainable development, engagement of the militia, economic empowerment, the security of persons, installations and properties and the enthronement of law and order constitute the vital levers of creating the necessary environment for sustainable development.
�The key pillar of this environment is the question of law and order. In this regard, the revitalisation programme of the Joint Task Force is ongoing and continuously being reviewed.�